Morgan University Center - Joe Morgan

Like
the previous University Center, the new
University
Center carries the namesake of Joe Morgan. Who is
Joe Morgan, and why is the University Center
named after
him? Austin
Peay's president for 13 years beginning in 1963,
Morgan
made many changes to student life while guiding
Austin
Peay through a time of great unrest across the
country.
"Morgan was here during a period of great
transition at Austin Peay and in the state and
nation." said Dr. Thomas Winn, professor of
history
and philosophy. Winn wrote "A History of
Austin Peay from 1806 - 2001" along with Dr.
Richard Gildrie, professor of history and philosophy.
Prior to Morgan's presidency, students were
required to
attend assembly every Wednesday. However,
Morgan
ended the assemblies after protests by students. There
also were restrictive policies concerning women,
which
prevented them from wearing shorts and required
them to
sign in and out of residence halls. All this
changed under Morgan. "It would have under
any president (at that time), but Morgan was
willing to
do it," Winn said.

Morgan also
presided over Austin Peay's change from a
college to a
university in 1966.
When the original University Center was
constructed in
1967, it was known simply as the University
Center. President Dr. Robert Riggs made the
decision
to name the building after Morgan on the
recommendation
of local people.
"Morgan was very well thought of in the state,
so I
think that's part of the reason it was named
after
him," Winn said.
Morgan received a bachelor's degree from Murray
State
University and a master's degree and doctorate
from
George Peabody College. Prior to becoming APSU
president, Morgan served as Tennessee's
Commissioner of
Education. He died in 1988.

Used by
permission from the All State
By Sarah Reed
Features Editor
Commemorative Edition - March 18, 2002